communications

Member Spotlight: Chris Horace

July 5, 2021

Tell us about your business or the work you do:

My name is Chris Horace and I am the Director of Events and DJ for Inkredible Sounds. We are a full service entertainment production company for weddings, proms, and corporate events.

What do you love most about the work you do?

I love seeing everyone smiling and have a great time on the dance floor.

What Committee are you on for NACE and what do you do?

I am currently apart of the communications committee and my main duties at the time is update the DFW NACE website, approving members to the online directory, and uploading the events to the facebook page.

Which best describes you? Iphone/Mac, Iphone/PC, Android/Mac, Android/PC?

All of my personal devices are Apple!

When you’re not working, what are you doing?

Enjoying a cookies and cream shake or talking on the phone.

Tell us one thing on your bucket list

I would love to travel out the country to Japan.

Is there a song you wish they would stop playing at events?

If I had to choose one song if would be the Macarena, I believe its one of top 5 most played songs at any event.

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it?

Netflix and Chill

Member Spotlight: Robin Benson Linek

June 28, 2021

Tell us about your business or the work you do:

I’m the special events manager at the Meadows Museum, SMU. The museum’s vision is to be the leading center in the United States for exhibition, research and education in the arts and culture of Spain. I plan museum events, create video content through my weekly web series, Culture Corner, and handle the museum’s facility rental business.

What do you love most about the work you do?

I love to tell stories through events. I love the creative aspect of my work and making engaging experiences (both virtually and in-person) to delight museum stakeholders.

What Committee are you on for NACE and what do you do?

I’ve just joined the communications committee. I help to manage DFW-NACE’s presence on social media.

Which best describes you? Iphone/Mac, Iphone/PC, Android/Mac, Android/PC?

iPhone, Mac for home/PC for work

When you’re not working, what are you doing?

I’m usually running (while listening to an audio book) or at barre class. My husband and I love to go to theater, watch movies, and spend time with our dogs and cat.

Tell us one thing on your bucket list

A trip to India.

Is there a song you wish they would stop playing at events?

We see a lot of Spanish guitar at my venue. Unfortunately, some guitarists choose to play “Rainbow Connection” over and over again.

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it?

I’d spend it exploring my neighborhood and trying new places.

Legends of NACE: Terry Shields

June 24, 2021

Tell us about your business or the work you do.

I design and produce events for client’s special occasions in their lives that will create a lasting memory.

What year did you join NACE?

May 24, 2000

How do you define success?

Everyone measures success differently and life is a series of successes…and sometimes failures. However, no one is a success on their own. It takes the support of friends and family that gives you the positive drive to be successful. In the hospitality industry you have to have the best and most reputable industry contacts on your “team” when designing and producing special events for you to be known as a success in this industry.

What would the title of your autobiography be?

The Nobelist Art is That of Making Others Happy!

Tell us your favorite NACE memory.

While I have been blessed with so many great moments and memories the favorite has to be hearing my name announced as the 2011 National Caterer of the Year Award recipient and to have my Dallas NACE family with me for the presentation.

Advice for newer members of NACE?

Passion…Perseverance…Patience! Have a deep passion for the industry and what you do…Persevere through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in order to stay grounded as a person…Have Patience while building your foundation of industry contacts as well as your reputation as a leader in the industry.

Over the years what is the most important thing you have gained through NACE?

Overall NACE does an incredible job with education. Anyone can find a speaker or topic of interest no matter at what level of experience you are at in your career. However, I find the most important thing that I gain through NACE is the many relationships I have through NACE, both in Dallas and throughout the nation! These are not only people that I work with on events but people that I get counsel from as well as people that are like family…no matter how infrequently we see each other.

Member Spotlight: Kathryn Krieger

June 17, 2021

Tell us about your business or the work that you do: I am the owner of Pucker Up Impressions & my team and I provide stellar personalized entertainment services of a wide variety for events.

What do you love most about the work that you do: My clients. I have some of the BEST clients & they keep me motivated when I have days where I’d rather just play with my kids.

What Committee are you on for NACE & what do you do? I am on the Communications Committee & I help create the Legends of NACE, Meet the Board and Member Spotlight Blog Posts. My goal for communications is to help all our members feel appreciated and recognized.

Which best describes you? Iphone/Mac, Iphone/PC, Android/Mac, Android/PC? I LOVE my MAC, but I despise IPhones. LOL Totally an android girl – hence why I created this question! Haha!

When you’re not working, what are you doing? Playing with my kids, being outdoors, creating fun crafts.

Tell us one thing on your bucket list: Paragliding

Is there a song you wish they would stop playing at events? Quite a few actually. . . LOL – hard to just pick one. . .

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it? So many options!! Probably be Outside or crafting or reading or exercising or meditating or, or, or! So many fun things to do in life!

Member Spotlight: John Martin

June 10, 2021

Tell us about your business or the work you do: I am one of 3 owners of On The Levee Event Venue

What do you love most about the work you do? I love the excitement of a day of the event. Seeing everything come together.

What Committee are you on for NACE and what do you do? I am on the Communications Committee. I’m not very good at this, but I’m trying to go outside my comfort zone.

Which best describes you? Iphone/Mac, Iphone/PC, Android/Mac, Android/PC? Iphone guy but I use a PC for work…I’m good with both.

When you’re not working, what are you doing? I own a venue I’m never off..JK I play ultimate frisbee and go to the lake. Love wakeboarding and surfing.

Tell us one thing on your bucket list: Travel Europe for a month.

Is there a song you wish they would stop playing at events? My events have been all over the map so no 1 song gets over played to be honest.

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it? Watch TV…I miss watching TV

Meet the Board: Director of Fundraising – Kortni Jeske

April 1, 2021

Tell us about your business or the work you do.

When I’m not at home with my two beautiful girls (Victoria, 3, and Madison, 8 months), I’m working for Vestals Catering on various marketing and creative projects. I am so grateful that I’m able to be a full time mom while still having the opportunity to serve the industry that I love.

How long have you been a NACE member? On the board?

I have been a member of NACE since 2016! This is my 6th year as a member, and my 2nd year on the board!

What is your personal motto?

“If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.”

What is your guilty pleasure?

Reality competition shows! (The Challenge, Survivor, Big Brother, Amazing Race, Top Chef, Chopped, etc.) I can’t get enough!

Which actor or actress would play you in the movie about your life?

I guess I’ll go with… Mila Kunis? She’s a short little firecracker not unlike myself, and she doesn’t take s*** from anyone! Also, her “Bad Moms” character is just too relatable to ignore! LOL

What does true leadership mean to you?

True leadership is leading by example. Not being afraid to get into the trenches with your team. You can’t just talk the talk these days, you have to prove that you can walk the walk!

What is in the trunk of your car right now?

A jacket and extra set of clothes for my toddler, a portable jump-starter, an emergency first-aid kit, and a picnic blanket! …and possibly a fold-up wagon?

Meet the Board: Director of Membership – Jennifer Crenshaw

March 15, 2021

Tell us about your business or the work you do. I am a professional photographer and Owner of Jennifer Crenshaw Photography. I’ve been capturing couples on camera for over 10 years in Dallas, and I love catching those candid moments.

How long have you been a NACE member? On the board? I joined the DFW NACE chapter in 2019 and joined the board as Co-Director of Membership at the beginning of 2021.

What is your personal motto? “Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart.”

What is your guilty pleasure? I feel like a have a few. Chocolate for sure, I can never pass it up. And wine, I love red wine. Just give me chocolate, wine, and a good movie and I’m in my happy place!

Which actor or actress would play you in the movie about your life? Anne Hathaway

What does true leadership mean to you? Leadership is about taking charge and doing the hard work. It’s about speaking up for others and always being there to help and provide support. A true leader sets a good example by showing kindness and respect to others.

What is in the trunk of your car right now? Right now, there’s nothing in the trunk because grocery pickup has been a lifesaver during Covid-19.

Congratulations to all of our Award Winners!

March 4, 2021

Chapter Awards

Committee Member of the Year
Kortni Jeske

Rising Star
Jennifer Crenshaw

Business Partner of the Year
Vestals Catering

President’s Award
Amber Knowles
Jennifer Burns

Hall of Fame Inductees
Tami Winn
Rebecca Wright

Legend of NACE
Luana Stoutmeyer

Self-Nominated Awards

Event Photography of the Year
Jennifer Crenshaw Photography

Wedding of the Year Over $50,000
DQB Entertainment

Catered Event of the Year Under $5,000
Vestals Catering

Catered Event of the Year Over $5,000
Truluck’s

Event Production of the Year Under $25,000
Harmland Visions

Event Production of the Year Over $25,000
The Event Nerd

Philanthropic Award
Vestals Catering

Virtual Event of the Year (TIE)
Dallas Chocolate Festival
Sarabeth Events

Thank you to all of our event sponsors!

Venue: Thompson Hotel Dallas
Floral: The Garden Gate
Videography: Deon Davis Production
Photography: Harmland Visions
Lighting & A/V: Harmland Visions
DJ & Emcee: DQB Entertainment
Decor Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals (Linen, napkins & chargers)
Decor Rentals: Shag Carpet Props (Stage, backdrop, podium, hand sanitizer stations, sponsor boards, membership counters with partitions, & bar top partitions)
Temperature Check Station: Callisto Sound & Lighting
Confetti Stick Guest Favor: Ultimate Confetti
Projection Screens: Beyond

All About 2021 Award Submissions

January 22, 2021

***DEADLINE EXTENDED to *Monday, February 22nd****

Due to the power outages that so many in our community are experiencing, AWARDS DEADLINE IS EXTENDED to Monday, February 22nd.

I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t be more excited to usher in a new year – one full of hope, possibility, and Covid vaccines! But before we completely leave 2020 behind, we want to celebrate the wins that we did have. Your DFW NACE Board of Directors knows that there are still some things worth celebrating about 2020, and we couldn’t think of a better time to come together for our first in-person meeting of the year than our annual Awards Gala. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 3rd!

This year, instead of focusing primarily on our in-person meetings for awards, we want to focus on YOU – the people in the event industry who continued to make things happen in 2020, even when faced with the greatest challenges. As such, we’ve expanded the self-nominated awards to provide more opportunities for our event community to be recognized amongst their peers. We’ve also tailored the awards to be in alignment with the challenges we’ve all faced and to better showcase the ways that many of you have persevered.

Here are some of the changes you’ll see to the self-nominated awards this year:

Separate categories for Wedding of the Year based on budget (below $50,000 and over $50,000) so that micro weddings aren’t competing with larger weddings – Wedding of the Year Submission Guidelines
Separate categories for Event Production of the Year based on budget (below $25,000 and over $25,000) so that Covid-impacted events aren’t competing with larger events – Event Production of the Year Submission Guidelines
Separate categories for Catered Event of the Year based on budget (below $5,000 and over $5,000) so that small catered events can be recognized in addition to larger ones – Catered Event of the Year Submission Guidelines
A NEW award for Virtual Event of the Year to recognize those that made the move to virtual in 2020 – Virtual Event of the Year Submission Guidelines
A NEW Philanthropic Award to showcase individuals and companies who used 2020 to give back to the community – Philanthropic Award Submission Guidelines
Award submissions will ask the applicant to describe how the event was adapted for guest and vendor safety if the event was impacted by Covid-19.

**Don’t miss your chance to be recognized for your 2020 efforts! Click here to review the criteria for all award submission guidelines including Event Photography of the Year.

DFW NACE Members can submit awards for free. Non-member submissions are $50 per award nomination.

Submission Form: You can submit your award online HERE

We can’t wait to showcase you!

**Kimberly Rhodes**
Owner & Event Planner at Hitched Events
DFW NACE Immediate Past President

How to Create Your DFW Member Listing

January 13, 2021

Follow the 5 steps below to create your DFW NACE Member Listing. We promise it will be quick and easy and should take you less than 5 minutes to complete. Be sure to have your headshot ready to upload! You can also upload up to 2 additional images.

One of the benefits of being a DFW NACE member is to be listed in our member directory. You can use our directory to connect with other members directly. And NACE members from other chapters around the country have been known to search for local vendors when they are traveling, and our directory is a great resource for that.

**Note about changes & updates: If you make a mistake, or need to update your job information, contact information, or photos uploaded at any time in the future, please email those changes and updates to communications@dfwnace.com

Please do not spam your fellow NACE members. It is illegal to use our directory to add anyone’s email to your newsletter list if they have not subscribed on their own.

***If you push PLAY on this video, it will walk you through how to create your vendor listing. OR you can follow the 5 steps below.***

STEP 1:

Go to http://www.dfwnace.com/member-directory

STEP 2:

Click “Create A Listing”

Step 3:

Select your Vendor Category from the drop-down, then fill in your information.

*Important: If you serve more than one category (OR) if you do not see your category listed, email the Communications Committee at communications@dfwnace.com. We can add additional categories to your listing or create your category on the backend!

Step 4:

You have the option to upload 3 photos to share your work. One of those photos should be your lovely headshot!

Drag and drop your photos into the square box, OR click “select images from your hard drive” to upload.

Step 5:

Click “Complete” and wait until you see “Submission Received.”

*Important: After you submit your listing, the Communications Committee will review your submission, confirm your membership, and your listing will be live within one to two weeks.